Shift Charge Engineer - RO Plant (Rabigh)

About ACWA Operations

ACWA Operations stands at the forefront of delivering essential services with unparalleled reliability and efficiency to millions of people who depend on them daily. As the operations and maintenance division of ACWA Power, we specialize in ensuring the safe, dependable, and cost-effective operation of power generation and water desalination assets throughout their entire lifecycle. Since our establishment in 2005, ACWA Operations has forged strategic partnerships across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, supporting critical infrastructure that powers communities and sustains economic growth. Our comprehensive services encompass commissioning, asset management, preventive and corrective maintenance, technical support, and continuous performance enhancement. We recognize that operational reliability and cost efficiency are not merely technical objectives—they are the foundation for ensuring access to electricity at night, clean water in homes, and uninterrupted industrial operations. By optimizing asset availability, bolstering system resilience, and adhering to the highest safety and quality standards, ACWA Operations plays a pivotal role in advancing ACWA Power’s mission to provide sustainable, affordable energy and water solutions that elevate living standards and strengthen global communities.

About ACWA Operation Rabigh 4 IWPL

The Rabigh 4 Independent Water Project (IWP) represents a landmark initiative in the desalination sector, featuring a state-of-the-art seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant with a capacity of 600,000 cubic meters per day. Complementing this is a Product Water Storage Facility (PWSF) with a capacity of 1,200,000 cubic meters, alongside a photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant generating 6.804 megawatts peak (MWp). Strategically located adjacent to the existing Rabigh 3 IWP Plant, this project is a collaborative effort led by ACWA Power, which holds a 45% stake, while Haji Ali Reza (HAACO) and Al Moayyed contribute 35% and 20%, respectively. The project is scheduled for commissioning by March 31, 2026, and will significantly enhance water supply capabilities in the region.

Job Purpose

As the Shift Charge Engineer for the Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant in Rabigh, you will be responsible for overseeing all operational activities during your shift, ensuring that plant operations are conducted safely, efficiently, and in strict adherence to approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), quality benchmarks, time schedules, and regulatory requirements. Your role is critical in maintaining the plant’s operational integrity, minimizing risks to personnel, equipment, and the environment, and ensuring compliance with all safety and environmental standards. You will serve as a key decision-maker during emergencies, coordinating with cross-functional teams to address abnormalities, disturbances, or maintenance activities while ensuring seamless plant operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Safety and Compliance: Strictly adhere to all safety rules, regulations, and environmental standards. Maintain full awareness of potential hazards within the plant and ensure that all operations are conducted with minimal risk to personnel, machinery, and materials.
• Operational Oversight: Ensure the plant operates in accordance with established standards, SOPs, Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), work instructions, operational control logics, and emergency procedures. Coordinate closely with the Operations Manager and other departments to align all activities with plant objectives.
• Permit to Work System: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the permit-to-work system. Issue, authorize, and cancel permits as required, ensuring all maintenance and non-routine activities (e.g., preservation, acid cleaning) are conducted safely and in compliance with procedures.
• Emergency Response: Make timely, informed decisions to correct operational abnormalities or disturbances. Take decisive corrective actions during emergencies to mitigate risks and restore normal operations. Supervise startup checklists, interlock checks, protection tests, and post-maintenance equipment normalization and testing.
• Plant Monitoring and Reporting: Continuously monitor the overall status of the plant, documenting all activities in the logbook. Prepare and submit daily plant status reports, summarizing shift activities and relaying critical information to the Operations Manager and relevant stakeholders.
• Team Leadership and Evaluation: Supervise and evaluate shift personnel, ensuring adherence to operational protocols and maintaining high performance standards. Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Technical Coordination: Collaborate with the plant chemist to manage activities related to plant chemistry. Ensure that all operational changes and maintenance activities are coordinated effectively to maintain production targets and system reliability.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We seek a highly motivated and technically proficient Shift Charge Engineer with a proven track record in managing large-scale desalination or water treatment plants. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and a deep commitment to safety and operational excellence. Experience in reverse osmosis systems, permit-to-work systems, and emergency response protocols is essential. Familiarity with SOPs, P&IDs, and regulatory compliance frameworks will be highly advantageous. The successful candidate will thrive in a dynamic, team-oriented environment and demonstrate the ability to make critical decisions under pressure while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.